~ Present Time ~
The moment West stepped out of the ruin, the world rushed back into him all at once.
The stale, metallic air of the underground vanished, replaced by the cold evening breeze and the noise of voices—many voices—layered with disbelief.
Floodlights from gang vehicles bathed the ruined entrance in harsh white light, casting long shadows across the flattened wasteland that had once been a neighborhood.
Before West could even fully register where he was—
Aria slammed into him.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his torso and her fingers dug into the back of his shirt as if letting go would cause him to vanish again. Her head pressed against his chest and her body shook as she held him with everything she had.
"You're alive," her voice broke as she spoke. "You're actually alive."
